Tuesday, October 3, 1939 - British forces now in the frontline

[Bootie]

On the Western Front...
The British 1st Corps of the BEF take over responsibility for an appropriate section of the Franco-Belgian frontier. French forces complete their withdrawal from advanced positions in German territory (the Warndt Forest and the Saarbrucken Salient).

BEF Arriving Sep/Oct 1939

In Poland...
The last significant units of the Polish army surrender near Luck. The Germans have taken 700,000 prisoners and the Soviets 200,000. Polish casualties have been severe. The Germans have lost 10,000 dead and 30,000 wounded. Many Poles have escaped and will gradually find their way to the west. Although tank units have played a notable part in the campaign, it is interesting to note that the contemporary German official appreciation lay more stress on the traditional-style infantry battles. The tank forces are seen at this stage, except by enthusiasts like Guderian, as little more than useful auxiliaries who can help the infantry do the real work. The first plans for the attack in the west will reflect this official attitude. Meanwhile, the German 10th Army begins to redeploys from Poland to the west.

In Britain...
Chamberlain dismisses recent German peace proposals outright.

 

[Louis]

On the orders of Chief of Army Group South (Gen. Von Rundstedt) as supreme commander of the East, join the troops destined to remain in Poland, a total of 30 divisions in the military framed III, VIII and XIV .-
The rest, including Western units, return to the country .-

WW2, editorial Sarpe